A drive-by mass shooting Friday that left two men dead and two others wounded on the city’s west side could have been even more tragic, a Detroit police official said.

“There was a 4-year-old and 10-month-old outside playing right there, and these clowns come by shooting guns,” Assistant Police Chief Steve Dolunt said. “I’m livid.

“I’m thinking this had to be retribution for something. These are all older guys.”

The first victim, identified as in his 60s, died hours before the second, a 43-year-old man, Detroit Police Officer Jennifer Moreno said. The two survivors, whose conditions at local hospitals were unknown, also are in their 40s and 60s, she said.

Their relationship wasn’t immediately clear.

The shooting happened at about 3:40 p.m. at a home in the 2600 block of Hazelwood near Linwood. The victims were on the porch when three men in a black Dodge Journey SUV opened fire.

“There were two types of weapons used: A pistol and a long gun,” Dolunt said.

Dolunt said he didn’t believe the first man slain was the intended target.

“It’s still early, and I could be wrong, but that’s what it looks like,” he said.

Witnesses did not provide a full description of the shooters, Dolunt said.

The shooting unnerved neighbors and others on the street, which is lined with mostly two-story homes.